Dawson Odums’ squad appears to be deeper than last year’s SWAC title team

There’s plenty of work to be done over the summer and in fall camp before the pecking order is transferred from pencil to ink, but nonetheless Odums has seen enough to be confident he has what he needs.

He has two inexperienced but talented quarterbacks who are pushing one another to be better every day. He has an abundance of talented runners and catchers that any opponent that tries to gang up on the run or the pass will pay a price. He has a mostly set offensive line that will enhance that balance.

On defense, he has seen improvement in run defense, which was a priority for the spring, and he has as many speedy athletes defending the pass as he has handling the football on offense.

The special teams are a work in progress but feature enough talent to contribute to the Jaguars pushing for a second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.

The competition: Tillery and Favorite are the top returnees in a group bolstered by two transfers in Crockett (from Pittsburgh) and Jarvis (North Texas). Odums said Edwards also is in the mix despite being a walk-on.

Odums says: “I don’t think it’s going to play itself out until fall camp. Tillery is doing a much better job, and Favorite is showing why he was such a highly recruited guy coming out of high school. Edwards is really a physical runner. Crockett and Jarvis are really showcasing why they went Division I.”

Fullback

Players in the mix: Brian McCain, Josh Perry

The competition: The Jaguars likely will play more two-back with the return of McCain, who missed last season with a broken foot.

The competition: This is the deepest, most competitive position on the team. Menard, Quinn, Jones, Morgan, Talbert and Altman all have played for the Jaguars. Baker has been slowed by an ankle injury. Travis got plenty of experience at Memphis.

Odums says: “Randall Menard and Willie Quinn are special football players. Now you’ve got Travis who can really stretch the field vertically. Brown is getting better as he learns the offense, and Baker was really getting better. William Waddel is a veteran guy who will be a senior.”

The competition: Four starters return at guard and tackle, though Brown is sidelined after shoulder surgery. He should be ready for fall camp. The only real competition is at center, and that was limited since Sylve missed time with a back issue and Lee is trying to regain his academic eligibility.

Odums says: “We haven’t really been able to see the battle take place at center, but once we get all these guys into fall camp, it could really turn into a great battle at center.”

The competition: Odums said Echols had “a tremendous spring.” He’s battling Woods and Jordan for the nose guard spot. Allen has been out because of a hamstring injury.

Odums says: “Gabriel Echols has dropped a little weight, and his foot quickness has improved. I think he might be ready to take on that role as our starting nose guard. I think when Justin Woods is on top of his game, he gives us a great motor on the inside. You just hope the light switch comes on for Jaylen Jordan.”

The competition: Brown will be the starter on the outside, doubling as an end in passing situations. Allen and Carter, who’s getting his eyes checked, each have a leg up to start inside. Lindsey is a wild card.

Odums says: “I think Javon Allen has really gotten better. Once Demetrius Carter gets his eyes checked and he can see the signals and get lined up, he’s going to be pretty good for us. Martin Henry came in in January, and the last scrimmage you could really see the talent and the reason we brought him here. Roshaud Turner is an undersized football player, but he’s a 3.0 student who’s intelligent and understands football. I’m just trying to figure out where I can best use Detrane Lindsey because he’s an outside guy and we’re asking him to play inside.”

The competition: Thomas (from Tulane) and Ledbetter (Florida) are transfers who bring experience to a deep group.

Odums says: “You’re talking about a bunch of talented guys, which is why we don’t play with a fourth defensive lineman because there are too many guys in that group who are good and I’ve got to get them on the field.”